Italian fashion icon Valentino Garavani, known worldwide as Valentino, passed away on January 19, 2026, at the age of 93. He retired from active work in 2008 after a career that left a lasting mark on global fashion.
“Valentino Garavani passed away at his residence in Rome, surrounded by his loved ones,” his foundation said in a statement posted on Instagram. According to Reuters, Valentino was regarded, alongside Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld, as one of the last great designers of an era before fashion became a fully globalized industry.
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Founder of the brand that bears his name, Valentino became synonymous with refined elegance and the iconic “Valentino Red.” His creations dressed generations of royalty, first ladies, and film stars, from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to Julia Roberts and Queen Rania of Jordan, according to NBC News.
“I know what women want. They want to be beautiful,” Valentino famously said.
Nicknamed the “king of the red carpet,” Valentino dressed Julia Roberts at the 2001 Academy Awards and Cate Blanchett at the 2004 Oscars.
The Valentino brand expanded globally through prêt-à-porter, menswear, and accessories. In 1998, Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti sold the label for an estimated USD 300 million, with Valentino remaining as chief designer for another decade. Today, the brand is majority-owned by Mayhoola for Investments, with Kering holding the remaining stake.
Photo: Daily Sabah
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